I want to wish you and your families a Hanukkah season filled with health, love, and happiness.

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1 K I S L E V T E V E T D E C E M B E R, INSIDE THIS President s Message Community Programs Congregational Events WORSHIP SCHEDULE December 1: 7:30 PM Shabbat worship with Rabbi Audrey December 8: 7:30 Birthday Shabbat with Rabbi Audrey December 15: 7:30 PM Shabbat worship with Rabbi Audrey No Shabbat worship December 22, 29 Shabbat and Adult Learning, Presidents Message Continues Contributions 7 Events Guide 8 Mai? By Rabbi Audrey Korotkin Mai? What is? That s the question the rabbis of the Talmud ask in the Aramaic of their time. Never mind the answer: What does the question mean? Did they want to talk about the importance of the midwinter festival of lights? How to celebrate it properly? Or were they really asking: What IS it? That is, did they really not know? Let s face it, the rabbis of 6th century (or so) Babylonia were far removed from the traditions that held fast in the Land of Israel after the successful Maccabean revolt that took place hundreds of years before. And, oddly, they give us an explanation of that history that is found nowhere else in previous literature: that a miracle took place when the victorious Maccabees found one cruse of oil in the defiled Temple in Jerusalem, enough for one day only but which burned for eight days. The Book of Maccabees which is not included in our Jewish Bible, perhaps for political reasons gives us a much different story, one of a bloody uprising against Syrian invaders and martyrs willing to die for the cause of Jewish temporal and religious freedom. In a way, both are true and both are necessary. We Jews need to see ourselves as a nation as masters of our own fate, beholden to no one and responsible for the choices we make. But we are also a people of faith and thus we believe that God does provide support, guidance, and, yes, the occasional miracle in our lives when we most need help. Whatever the truth of the story, the fact that we endure as a Jewish people is perhaps the greatest miracle. And so we celebrate with joy, bringing light to the darkest time of the year and hope to all who struggle for freedom.

2 P A G E 2 President s Message Dear Congregants, I first want to thank all who aended the membership and Temple space rental commiee meengs this past Wednesday evening. We had a very nice turnout with good pizza, and a lot of meaningful discussions. We will have some more in the coming year. I hope to see even more of our Temple family members parcipate in future meengs. This year s appeal is underway. By now you should have received both a leer from me, and an explaining our campaign for our new sound system. It is going to be great. Again, please give what you can, and as generously as you can, to this much needed system for our sanctuary. We will be having our annual latke dinner on Sunday December 17 th. Dinner will start at 6pm and Latke making will start at 4pm. It is always a great evening with so much warmth and comradery. I hope to see as many of you there as possible. More details will be sent out soon. Monday, January 29 th, 2018 will be the date for our next Office Deli Day. Order forms will be mailed and ed shortly. Individuals will be able to pick up their orders at the Temple that day. Businesses can choose to pick up or have their orders delivered. If you have a business, or know of any business that would like a delicious deli lunch that day, please use or forward our order form. We will need help preparing on Sunday, January 28 th and Monday the 29 th, and we are also in need of people to help deliver. Let the office know if you can help ( ). I want to wish you and your families a season filled with health, love, and happiness. If you have any quesons or need to contact me, my cell number is , and my is jmthal71@outlook.com. Sincerely, Jonathan Thaler Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family of P. Jules Patt, who passed away on November 26th. Zichrono livracha. May his memory be for blessing.

3 Community Events P A G E 3 VETERANS DAY SHABBAT November 10, 2017 Local historian Jim Lowe provided a unique and important analysis of how we are impacted by World War One 100 years a>er we entered the war. Thanks to Jim and to Annee Shaw, who organized the evening, and to Soozie Sevel Holzer, Ellen Kivitz, and Beverly Hicks who did a great job with the potluck dinner. Special thanks and gratude to our veterans who aended. Annual Public Menorah Lighng Tuesday, December 12, 10:00 AM UPMC Altoona Foyer Join Rabbi Audrey Korotkin as we usher in the Fesval of Lights, which begins Tuesday night, with stories, songs and dreidel games for our community. Refreshments will be served.

4 P A G E 4 Temple Events LIGHT THE NIGHT WITH TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL S ANNUAL HANUKKAH LATKE DINNER Sunday, December 17, 6:00 PM in Nathan Kaber Hall Eat fried food! Spin the dreidel! Sing some songs! Light the menorah! Share a wonderful evening of fellowship and food with your Temple family Chicken dinner and Latke with a twist. The cost is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for children (children under 5yrs free) plus a side dish, salad or dessert to share. Please RSVP to Danielle in the Temple office no later than Thursday, December 14th. Please bring your menorah and candles from home, so that we can share our light with each other. ATTENTION MEN: Latke-making begins at 4:00 PM in the Temple kitchen. Contact Barry Allen to find out what to bring. The TBI Sisterhood has items for sale Stop in to the Temple during normal business hours (9:30am-2:30pm, Mon-Thurs) to pick up your Chanukkah supplies...and more! Candles * Dreidels * Menorahs Decorations * Gifts * More! Can t make it in during business hours? Order Go online to see all of our Sisterhood Giftshop's beautiful items

5 PARASHAT HASH VUAH December 1-2 / 14 Kislev Vayishlach: Gen. 32:4-36:43 God tells Jacob to return home. Jacob sleeps alone in the desert and is awoken by an angel who wrestles him through the night. Jacob survives and is blessed by the angel and renamed Israel. December 8-9 / 21 Kislev Vayeshev: Gen. 37:1-40:23 Jacob favors Joseph, and this angers Joseph s brothers. Joseph has dreams in which he predicts reigning over his brothers, provoking them further. They decide to sell Joseph into slavery in Egypt. December / 28 Kislev Miketz: Gen. 41:1-44:17 Pharaoh has two troubling dreams. Pharaoh brings Joseph to interpret them. Pharaoh is so impressed by Joseph that he makes him his adviser. December / 5 Tevet Vayigash: Gen. 44:18-47:27 Joseph reveals his true identy and invites his brothers to return for their father, Jacob, and bring him and their families to Egypt. December / 12 Tevet Vayehi: Gen. 47:28-50:26 Joseph promises Jacob that he will bury him in Canaan. On his deathbed, Jacob blesses his grandchildren, Ephraim and Menashe, and then blesses each of his sons. Jacob dies and is embalmed. Joseph affirms to his brothers that he has forgiven them for their misdeeds. At the end of the Book of Genesis, Joseph dies. Birthday Shabbat Friday, December 7:30 PM Join our Temple family as Rabbi Audrey offers special birthday blessings for: Harriet Hand Dave Patt Anna Katz Greta Levine Marion Lebendig Jennifer Benjamin Nicholas Benjamin Cynthia Krier Barbara Thaler Betsy Patt Falon Morris Greyson Morris Caitlin Nedimyer Yahrzeits P A G E 5 Friday, December 1st Kaddish will be recited for Kurt Muhlfelder, Melvin Kadane, Florence Greenberg, Ethel Wallen, Barre. Cohn, Harry L. Cohn, Fritz Hahn, Dr. Joseph Fried, Sarah H. Levine, James Kepner, Leon Slonimsky, Mary Pa. Friday, December 8th Kaddish will be recited for Lavinia S. Bechhoefer, Edna Weltman, Doris Block Schmidt, Bess Rosen, Max Lenson, Sadie Cohn, Herman F. Hirsh, Daniel Langman, Herbert Rosen, Howard Kivitz Friday, December 15th Kaddish will be recited for Samuel M. Cohn, Nathan H. Freedman, Helga Morrison, Jack Primack, Sara G. Saltzman, Rae Goldstein, Wolf G. Goodman, Samuel Freshman, George Grossman, Sol Slonimsky, Paula Benjamin, Rachel Brozgal, Ida Neuhausen, Bella Maximon, Herman Pa., Arther L. Morris, Alice Scheeline Kaddish also will be recited on December 15th for the following names for the weeks of December 22nd and 29th when we have no services scheduled: Rabbi Nathan Kaber, Leah Hirch, Julius Blumenthal, Edythe Voloshen, David Katz, Samuel H. Pachter, Nick Petnick, Bernard J. Sevel, Jed David Satow, William Petsonk, Samuel Skolnek Bessie Pasekoff, Edith Siletchnik, Anna Holzer, Esther S. Colbus, Helen C. Samuel, Elizabeth (Bets) Levine, Judith Pollock, Katheryn Williams, Ethel Colbus, Julia Petsonk, Katheryn Muhlfelder, Thelma Cohn Wolf, Samuel E. Block, Howard J. Bre., Joseph Stark, Patrick Wilkinson Jr., J. Terrence Carson, Sara M. Kranich, Dora K. Kaufman, Lillian Steinberg, Joseph Cohn, Harry Rosenthall, Howard Freshman, Mort Abeles, Hazel Guiher, Louis Leopold, Helen Sandler

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7 We are grateful for your support Tree of Life Scrolls In memory of husband, father and grandfather, Salvatore Sal Randazzo, from the Rosenthall family In memory of Salvador Randazzo, from Barbara & Joel Weiss Sincere sympathy to the Patt family, from Marion Lebendig In memory of Alex Primack, from Karen & Barry Allen In memory of Phil Sky, from Karen & Barry Allen In memory of Jim Rosenthall, from Karen & Barry Allen Get well wishes to Maryanne Martin for a complete recovery, from Karen & Barry Allen Get well wishes to Pat Silverman, from Karen & Barry Allen In memory of Jules Patt, from Karen & Barry Allen Deepest condolence to the entire family of Jules Patt, from Greg & Shannon Sending our deepest condolence to the Patt family, from Joe & Pat Silverman In memory of Jules Patt, from Andrew & Denise Katz and family Our deepest sympathy to the Patt family on your loss, from Sue & Russ Holzer Our deepest condolence to the Patt family, from Barbara & Joel Weiss Sending our heartfelt condolence to the Patt family, from Barb & Jon Thaler Our sincere sympathy to the Patt family, from Steve & Lynn Auerbach Kaplan Sincere sympathy to the Patt family, from the Dubrow family My deepest condolence to the Patt family, from Audrey Rosenthall Wishing Marilyn Muhlfelder a Happy Holiday Wishing Mary & Tom Dalby a Happy Holiday Wishing Nick Benjamin & Family a Happy Holiday Wishing Liz Benjamin & Family a Happy Holiday Wishing Jen Benjamin a Happy Holiday season and good health, from Greg & Shannon Morris and family Wishing Emily Benjamin a Happy Holiday season and good health, from Greg & Shannon Morris and family Wishing Tera & Rob Herman a Happy Holiday Wishing Caryn Herman & family a Happy Holiday Continued get well wishes and Happy Holidays to David Lebendig, from Greg & Shannon Morris and family Get well wishes to Dave Binus, from Greg & Shannon P A G E 7 In love and remembrance of Arther L. Morris yahrzeit, from Greg & Shannon Wishing Shirley Pechter a Happy Holiday season and good health, from Greg & Shannon Wishing Marion Lebendig a Happy Holiday season and good health, from Greg & Shannon Wishing Estelle Dembert a Happy Holiday season and good health, from Greg & Shannon

8 3004 Union Avenue Altoona, PA Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Altoona, Pa. Permit No. 24 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED We re now on the web! Upcoming events Friday, December 1st, 7:30pm Saturday, December 2nd, 10am-12pm Friday, December 8th, 7:30pm Tuesday, December 12th, 10am Friday, December 15th, 7:30pm Saturday, December 16th, 10am-12pm Sunday, December 17th, 6pm Wednesday, December 20th, 7pm Friday, December 22nd Friday, December 29th Shabbat with Rabbi Audrey Adult Learning Birthday Shabbat with Rabbi Audrey Rabbi Audrey will lead the Menorah lighng at UPMC Altoona Shabbat with Rabbi Audrey Adult Learning Annual Latke Dinner (Men start the latke-making at 4pm) TBI Board meeng No Service for holiday break No Service for holiday break

9 December 2017 kislev-tevet Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Dave Patt Anna Katz Greta Levine Marion Lebendig 7. Jennifer Benjamin Nicholas Benjamin 1. Harriet Hand Charles & Ellen Kivitz 7:30pm Shabbat with Rabbi Audrey 8. 7:30pm Birthday Shabbat with Rabbi Audrey 2. Adult Learning 10am-12pm 9. Temple Beth Israel 3004 Union Avenue Altoona, PA Cynthia Krier am Menorah UPMC Altoona Erev 13. Barb Thaler Betsy Patt :30pm Shabbat Chanukah with Rabbi Audrey 16. Adult Learning 10am-12pm office@templebethisrael.net templebethisrael.net 17. 4pm Latke making 6pm Chanukah dinner 18. Steve & Lynn Auerbach Kaplan Rosh Chodesh pm TBI Board Meeting Falon Morris No Service for holiday break Office Closed 26. Office Closed 27. Office Closed 28. Office Closed 29. Greyson Morris No Service for holiday break 30. Caitlin Nedimyer 31.